What

September 16, 1988

Gold medals are awarded for both men and women's competition. Two round-robin pool competitions will be held, with winners advancing to the medal rounds. There are six players to a side, each game is to 15, teams must win by two, with best-of-five-game matches. Only the serving team can score. Most top teams have two designated players who receive all the serves. They get the ball up high enough for the setter to prop it up for one of the hitters, who swoop in from the back row or midcourt and send 100-mph spikes hurtling into the opponent's court -- or faces.

WHEN AND WHERE

Saturday through Oct.2, at 3 venues, but mainly at Hanyang University Gymnasium.

WHO'S FAVORED

U.S. men and Chinese women, a real setup with setter Yang Xilan, will be teams to beat.

THE WORLD: BEST OF THE REST

Peru, featuring Gabriela Perez del Solar, 6 feet 5, joins the Soviet Union in the women's medal chase. France, Japan and the Soviets chase the U.S. men. HOW ABOUT THE U.S.?

The United States have more of a national-team concept in this sport than in any other: both teams train full time in San Diego. Steve Timmons and Karch Kiraly join Craig Buck, 6-8, as the leaders of the men's team that has been dominant worldwide for four years. The women, rebuilt around youth (teen-aged Keeba Phipps) and savvy Laura Kessel, 34, have a shot at medaling but must pull of an upset of either China or Peru in pool play. Laurel Kessel, a setter, had to be talked out of retirement by coach Terry Liskevych to play one more year. Kessel played for the Dallas team in the women's pro volleyball league. United States women are unofficially ranked No. 4 in the world, and finished sixth in a recent world-class tournament.